Police officers may be forced to do civilians' jobs as Greater Manchester Police prepares to axe more than 1,000 jobs, writes Neal Keeling.

The force's 4,152 civilians will take the lion's share of the job losses and officers – who cannot be made redundant under current law – will have to do some of their support work.

Mr Osborne said forces would have to make cuts of 16 per cent over the next four years - but that assumes local town halls will increase council tax to help pay the bill. The Police Federation estimates 20,000 officers will be lost nationwide over the next four years.

Paul Murphy, chairman of Greater Manchester Police Authority, said that in reality the cut in government grant was 20 per cent.

He said: "In the past Greater Manchester's councils have been very generous to the Police Authority but they now have their own budget problems."

The force's 840 Police Community Support Officers could also be under threat. The force currently has 8,000 officers, and has lost 221 officers since it froze recruitment in December.

Greater Manchester Fire Service bosses believe compulsory redundancies of firefighters might be avoided.

Mr Osborne said fire brigades, nationally, would see a 13 per cent ‘real terms reduction’ in funding.

But, again, that assumes councils will chip in at a certain level. The amount Greater Manchester Fire Service gets direct from the government will fall by 25 per cent over four years.

The brigade has already cut 30 middle management posts. But support posts will be vulnerable too.

Paul Shannon, the fire authority's chairman, said: "We'll continue to provide a first-class service. We will not be reducing the number of fire stations or the number of vehicles available to turn out to emergencies."

The Fire Brigades Union predicted 150 jobs might go in Greater Manchester. Regional secretary Kevin Brown, said: "I do think that it is feasible to make the cuts without compulsory redundancies.

"But if we are operating with fewer staff can we continue to provide a service safely and quickly?"

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